Book-Binding

In 6th century the Byzantines bound religious works in enameled ivory. From this time to the invention of printing, beautiful illustrated MSS. for kings and princes were bound in carved and enameled wood, ivory, silver and gold, sometimes even set with gems. Princes and prelates bestowed such jeweled treasures upon their favorite abbeys and churches, which gifts were placed upon the high altar. The productions of monkish scribes were protected with simple parchment, or with leather-covered boards, bo ed, tipped, and clasped with metal. Elaborately decorated silk, velvet, leather and vellum next came into fashion, Italy setting the example of employing artists on the designs. Grolier, treasurer to Francis I., brought the taste from Milan, and for the next two IMG:content-0578.png:[merged small][graphic][subsumed][subsumed][merged small] Payne, d. 1797, did the best work. The most celebrated binders of the present century are Faraday, Mackenzie, Hayday, Rivière, Bedford, Tuckett, Ramage, and Zaehnsdorf.